Newgrounds.com — Everything, By Everyone.

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At 10/28/11 11:22 AM, 23i wrote: Tonight? (We don't have Halloween in Sweden)

Halloween is the last day of October (so, the 31st)

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At 10/24/11 01:28 AM, DeftAndEvil wrote:

It was actually pretty solid, except I could not take the Pokemon theme seriously >.>

That's fair enough. Thanks! :)

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Just submitted mine! It's a dark reimagining of the "Pokémon (creepy) black" creepypasta.
I think I outdid myself... it turned out way better than expected. Thoughts?

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Pokémon: Pitch-Black (4/4)
__________

The air had slowly been getting darker and cloudier since I came face-to-face with the beast. By now, the progressively darkening, clouding air in the room felt almost as thick as water, but it felt drier than a drought. Once more, I heard the ghost's mind-crunching screech fill my head. My mind was throbbing, my veins felt like coursing acid, and I used what little power I had left to contemplate my everlasting regret - for what, I didn't know. But whatever I did - wrong or right - I wanted to take it all back.

The screaming continued until, one last time, it blipped to silence. I opened my eyes: everything was pitch-black. My body was upright, weightless, painless in the void all around me.

"Is this it?" All my pain had vanished. "Am I dead?"

I spun around in the nothingness once, and magically, it was filled once again.

"This is... Route 1."

I recognized the path, but it had changed a lot since I crossed it last. I saw a glowing, red ambience by one of its bends. I wondered what it could be. My body autonomously floated to it, and I saw the blood-colored aura form a shape.

I recognized the image before me. It was one of the trainers I had cursed not too long ago.

The ground moved the child's spirit back beyond me. As I drifted down the path, I saw more of the glowing remnants of those I had defeated. Some were trainers, many were Pokémon.

It was a graveyard of souls.

For the first time, I had a sense of the overwhelming magnitude of havoc I had created. The road was littered with the crimson apparitions. Men, women, boys, girls, groups and groups of friends and their Pokémon. I passed by a tree, snapped near the base, resting sideways across the path. I kept floating on, until I had made it back to where I had begun. My home, Pallet Town.

Leo was there. In the center of town, he was floating limp above where I last saw him. His Pokémon was in front of him, and some of the side of Peter's body was there too. Below Leo and his Pokémon, however, were dark circles in the otherwise tan, dusty ground. I didn't pay attention before, but I remembered seeing the same patterns below the once-living things down Route 1.

I passed through the door into my house, so I could recall one last time what it was like for life to be normal. Unlike the rest of what I had seen, my home looked exactly the same as when I left. Everything was meticulously spotless. I looked around the living area: I didn't see her. She wasn't anywhere downstairs.

I went up to the second floor. - the door to my room was ajar. I looked inside. My mom was curled up by my bed, holding my blanket in one hand, and a bloody kitchen knife in the other. She had killed herself - and no note was left anywhere. She never even tried to say goodbye.

Then, the world rushed by in a whirlwind. I passed by every town again, seeing the sea of red memories quickly thin out as I made it to where the people avoided me for their lives. I soared and soared faster and faster until, I stopped short of the entrance to the Elite Four's building.

I floated gently through the bounding lobby, faster in the first room, rushing through the second, then the third, and then finally, I made it to the aftermath of the biblically-proportioned showdown.

_________________________

The skyscraping, groundbreaking colossus, large enough to fragment the stadium ground, powerful enough to shake the earth with just its voice, and resilient enough to bend the world to any shape at its own will -- had vanished. There was dirt and rubble clouding the air where the Legendary beast and the deathly ghost were clashing.

I landed before the stairway to the stage; I was solid again. I took the last steps before standing in the resulting wreckage firsthand. The stage ground had been completely removed from the platform; the rubble was scattered by the walls. I looked up and saw a clear blue sky where the ceiling used to be.

I was standing on soil which hadn't seen daylight for five generations.

I noticed Gary. He was face-up, eyes shut, glowing crimson-red... and buried partway in a ripple in the dirt. It was over.

But near the burial place of Gary was another rippling pattern.

It was empty.

I didn't know what there was left to think. I looked back up.

The ghost was there, waiting.

I tried to remember where I went wrong. When I found its Pokéball? When I let it massacre all those people? When I succumbed to its allure in Viridian? I ran over the whole journey in my mind again and again, and shortly, I came to my conclusion. I had done nothing wrong. I had done nothing. I was just a pawn in one of the reaper's sick games. And throughout time, it was clear to me nothing had ever changed. We all were the reaper's playthings: The only difference is now, he was bored of us. As life came, so it went. I stepped over the grave set out for myself, and lay there passively as the world left me behind.

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Pokémon: Pitch-Black (3/4)
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Hours, days, lifetimes spent moving from city to path to city to path, obliterating all creatures that got in our way. I had received my gym badges from Pewter City, Cerulean City, and Vermilion City effortlessly. As I passed through Celadon City towards the gym, I noticed the unusual emptiness of the town. I was frustrated by the unfortunately fitting phrase "like a ghost town."

Once I entered the gym, I realized why. The few who hadn't left had barricaded themselves in their homes. On a pedestal where the gym leader would have been was a velvet-lined box. Inside it was the Rainbow Badge and a handscrawled note saying, "Take it and go."

For all the next cities I visited, I had the same results. The Soul Badge, the Marsh Badge, Volcano Badge, Earth Badge... they were all left out for me before I had even arrived. I noticed for the first time how long it had been since I had seen a living being. Even the tall, grassy, often crowded off-roads were vacant. I had been walking them for days and never paid any attention to it. Was I just losing myself in thought to cope with the pain - or did I prefer the loneliness?

I walked past a large, exquisite archway over a smoothly paved road. I emotionless read the banner draped above the gate. "Beyond here reside the Elite Four. Novices prohibited. Champions welcomed."

Ever since my grandfather was Pokémon master, my forefathers began living more modestly, so the Elites were four once again.

I walked up to the façade of the enormous structure. Inside the glass doors was another sign, much more updated than the last. "The Elite Four evaluations have been canceled until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience." I felt like the first even to read it.

The giant, sliding doors opened automatically. By now, I was used to events inexplicably "working out" in my favor.

I walked into the entryway. Sometimes, when a room was out of commission, this area would be used as a placeholder. I walked into the first official stadium.

It was empty. As I paced down the arena, footsteps echoed against the enormous walls and ceiling.

I walked from the first stadium to the second.

It was empty again. Everything was completely silent between my rhythmic strides.

I walked from the second stadium to the third.

It felt I was exploring ancient ruins, like there hadn't been any evidence of life for centuries.

I walked from the third stadium to the fourth and final chamber.

Standing on the symbolic Pokéball emblem built into the ground, I looked around me: I saw nothing. The thought hadn't crossed my mind before, but what would I do after reaching the top? Was I supposed to find more battles? Would I need more trainers to overpower? What now?

As if to answer my voiceless question, a familiar voice from nearby thundered harshly and angrily, "ASH KETCHUM! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"

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I lashed around. "Gary? Is that really you?" I was both relieved for finally having human contact and repulsed for it having been Gary.

"Ash, you disgraceful shell of a human being! Don't you know what you've done!?" What I've done? Me? "You've ruined lives! You've ravaged whole cities! You've KILLED scores of innocent people! Men, women, children... You're the most hated, revolting creature since the world started spinning!"

All I could do was stand there, eyes glazed, stuck on the same three, looping words. "What you've done" "what you've done" "what you've done"... Was it really me? I've been thoughtlessly droning on from annihilation to accursed annihilation. Did I ever have a choice? If I stood up to the ghost back in Viridian City, would anything have changed?

Gary shook his head disgustedly and blurted out, "You're a sickening monster! I'll put an end to this!" He pulled one of the Pokéballs from his side and chucked it downwards. As I glanced at it floating towards the ground, I looked at the designs on the lid. It was a charcoal gray lid with a blocky, glistening golden letter "U" welded over it. It was an Ultra Ball - the most powerful Pokémon-capturing device legally permitted in the world.

It tapped the floor. Suddenly, the earth quaked violently as a beast nearly as tall as the enormous ceiling and almost as wide as the whole arena decimated the ground and sent violent shockwaves up my body. I landed hard on my backside and looked up at the spanning mouth of razor-sharp, jagged, yet evenly spaced teeth grinning demonically down at my vulnerable, blank visage. It took a slow, rumbling inhalation - then, it let out the most unbearable, incomparable, heart-stopping outcry this side of the heavens. Locked down to the floor tighter than the floor itself, I thought the skin on my face was going to rip down the middle and slide down the sides. After the all but deafening beast's demigodlike eruption softened to an airy hiss, I painfully sat up and continued coursing awe for the tremendous disaster I had found myself in.

The air thickened as Gary gave his final monologue, "This beast is a Legendary! You can't stop it, Ketchum... it's the most powerful force in the world! No- the universe! As if its Earth-moving body weren't enough to ensure my unquestionable reign of all Pokémon AND all of life!.." he grinned maliciously, "...it can take the force of all life from anywhere -- animals, plants, microorganisms... spirits --and absorb it. As long as there is a living thing in the world, it is always stronger. And now you will see it firsthand!"

I was incredulous. "Could the ghost really be stopped!?" But then I saw the futility in even wondering.

"Can this?"

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Pokémon: Pitch-Black (2/4)
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"Hey, Ash!" I turned around. Two of my classmates, Peter and Leo, approached me, smirking. "How about a battle?"

"Oh, okay! Well, here goes nothing."

He pulled his new Pokémon from his belt and tossed it in front of himself. From it came one of the fire-types: a predictable choice for a hothead like Leo. I followed suit.

"What is that!?"

"Cheater! Oak gave you special Pokémon just because your dad is famous!"

"No! It was just the only one left!"

"Liar!" Peter and Leo started talking hushed between themselves. They were off-guard.

Impulsively, I acted. "Ghost!" I proclaimed, "Attack!"

The light breeze that was flowing that day stopped dead in an instant. Leo froze mid-word and glared nervously at the smoky cloud from the corners of his eyes. He looked like he was trying to swallow, but couldn't. The whole area started rumbling - or was it just us? I started hearing a quiet ringing in my ears, but before long, the ringing swiftly evolved into a full-blown shriek. Doubled-over, I grasped my head, but the sound wouldn't subside. I kneeled there, head-throbbing, until suddenly, the cry blipped to silence.

The wind started up again. I opened my eyes and cautiously uncovered my ears. The shriek was gone, but had been replaced with another desperate scream.

"Wake up! Wake up!! Oh god, oh god, god no, please, please wake up!! No, no, no no no..."

I looked back at my opponent. His Pokémon was limp on the ground. The flames on its body had died out.

My body locked up. What is this monster I'd unleashed?

I sat there, unflinching, not breathing, staring at his Pokémon's still body, shivers doing laps through my spine. Leo's crony stood near him, also frozen, Pokéball in hand. They were planning to team up on me, but I never gave them the chance.

I was afraid I had killed Leo's first teammate until, subtly but visibly, I could see its body moving. It was breathing. I stood up and backed away slowly.

Once I was out of sight, I took a giant gulp of air. I started half-choking, half-laughing with a mix of guilt and victory. "What is this monster I'd unleashed?" I chuckled to myself. "Whatever it is, now I am its master. I'll be my own legend soon."

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I dashed on my way through Route 1, "my own legend" running through my head on loop. Not my mother's, not my father's, not my great-great-grandfather's cousin's uncle's nephew's half-brother's legend - Mine. It's my story and no one else's, and I am the main character.

Every once in a while, a wild Pokémon would cross my path, teeth snarled, poised to strike. I would toss out my Pokéball and it would be made unconscious in a mere few seconds. Quickly, I realized I didn't even need to tell my Pokémon what to do: I would release it from its chamber, and it would follow my thoughts to attack its target.

Also occasionally, a camping trainer would stop me from passing through until I could defeat them. I took pleasure in their dismay, seeing their pets fell cold to the dirt without even the slightest chance of struggle.

I strode through the Viridian gates like royalty. I felt so free, so in control. Like the world was almost mine, and I was ahead of schedule. I took a break in the Pokémart, and bought some drinks for myself. I considered getting potions - but Ghost couldn't be hurt - and more Pokéballs - but Ghost didn't need help! I took a deep breath, satisfied with my new lead on life. In the mood to glorify myself, I decided to call my mom to tell her the news.

"Hello? Ash..?"

"Hi mom! I-" She cut me off, sobbing.

"Oh Ash, I was so worried! I thought you were hurt!"

"What?" I was caught off-guard, "Why, what happened?"

"They say a tree fell on Route 1 on the way to Viridian City! Honey... one of your friends was killed by it."

I felt the first shiver run down my spine since I left Pallet Town.

I asked hesitantly, "...Who?"

"It was Leo, honey."

I choked on my vomit a little.

"They say some other kids were hurt, and I was so scared for you, dear. I'm so glad you're all right." She whimpered away from the receiver for a while as I washed out the taste in my mouth.

After some silence, I told my mom that I loved her, that I was okay, and that I had to go back to training for my first badge.

"Okay dear, good luck. I love you."

_________________________

I walked around the city, emotions conflicting. I thought about all those Pokémon, those trainers... - What would happen to all of them? Was Leo's death only coincidence?

I would be horrified to find out I hurt them past knocking their Pokémon unconscious. But at the same time, that feeling of strength, freedom, control, and utter unstoppability that came from simply waving my hand and watching anything squirm before yielding to the futility of fighting me was unbeatable.

I cringed at myself, sickened by my inhumanity. "Who have I become!? These thoughts...they aren't mine."

I snapped back to reality and vowed to control my primal desires for destruction. I would forfeit the Pokéball to Oak and accept responsibility for stealing it. I had to. I couldn't keep going on like this.

Before I could take my next step, I heard screaming from around the corner. I ran towards it -- it was coming from inside the Pokémart. I foolishly leaped inside as if I had any power over anything. I couldn't fully comprehend each of the myriad thoughts that overwhelmed my terrified mind.

Bodies were strewn around the floor - human bodies - not undying, but somehow not alive. In the center of the room was the ever-amorphous cloud of sentient death - Ghost.

I grabbed for my Pokéball on my waist. It was still there. The ghost couldn't be bound by it. With the thought of redemption still fresh in my head, I contemplated how to stop the monstrosity from progressing any further.

But I soon realized my position. I couldn't stop it - it couldn't be stopped. I either took it back as my Pokémon, or ceased to live trying.

I reluctantly but unwaveringly accepted my fate, and accepted it back as my Pokémon - it was my master once again.

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Pokémon: Pitch-Black (1/4)
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My name is Ash Ketchum. Now, I know who probably comes to your mind: a bright, charismatic young trainer, who traveled around the world and against all odds, became the greatest Pokémon master in history. Sorry to say, that isn't me; that was my great-great-grandfather: Ash I.

This story has been kept in my family every generation since. My mother used to tell it to me almost every night. It was my favorite story to hear.

My great-great-grandpa travelled all across Kanto and Johto and beyond, training his Pokémon, learning from the greatest and surpassing them, and then rising to the top of the renowned Elite Four's ranks - It took him 3 years. He was only 13 years old. It was an unheard-of accomplishment.

As the new leader of the then-Elite Five, he was challenged by many aspiring trainers, and unwaveringly overcame each one. But he was always an encouraging winner. He gathered a loyal group of friends, and taught them the strategies for success he had learned throughout his travels. He became famous worldwide.

One day - while Ash was still young by Pokémon masters' standards - a determined, up-and-coming trainer defeated the first four of the Elite Five with little difficulty, and came to challenge Ash.

The battle was explosive. The stadium, built to withstand the most intense of all conditions, was trembling with the power colliding between the teams. By the end of the battle, the walls were charred with soot and marked with the pulp from vines. Boiling puddles, torn-up leaves, and rubble from the ceiling and floor were scattered throughout the area. Ash and his adversary - Alissa was her name - finished their battle as a draw after both of their teams succumbed to fatigue; by the same time, the stadium had nearly been leveled entirely.

After the match, Ash and Alissa spent time together talking about how their lives came together there and then. Before the Elite Five's doors had time to reopen to the public, they were married.

They then gave birth to a son - Ash II - who grew up to father Ash III, who was my grandfather. The first Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town was such an unrivaled hero, his name passed on from each generation to the next in his undying honor. And tomorrow is the day I continue his legacy.

_________________________

On the morning leading up to my first day as a trainer, I slept soundly. I dreamt of what Pokémon I might choose, like I had dreamt of every day and night for the prior week. The strongest first choice among my peers was a water-type, closely trailed by a fire-type. Fire-types were the top choice, until people realized how vulnerable they were against water-types. Grass-types were never a popular choice, but maybe if I chose one, I could have the upper hand against the majority, choosing water-types. But what if everyone picked a fire-type? That would put me in a certain spot for defeat. Although maybe picking a grass-type would make me more unexpected of an underdog. Fire-types just seem so usually powerful; it's almost too obvious of a first choice. It was a tricky decision to make.........

"ASH! WAKE UP! YOU SLEPT THROUGH YOUR ALARM, SWEETIE!"

"Oh no. I can't really have--" I looked at my clock. I was over 2 hours late already.

My whole body started jittering out-of-control. I started to put on my pants, but my legs gave way under my distress.

"ASH! HURRY UP! ALL THE OTHER TRAINERS HAVE LEFT!"

I had set out today's clothes last night. At this point, it didn't help much, but at least it felt like I made it downstairs quickly. I took a couple slices of bread and some snack bars from the counter before rushing out the door.

"Good luck Ash! I love you! Be safe!"

I couldn't hear her. I was too focused on making it to Oak's lab without tripping on my half-tied shoes.

Once I made it to the door, I burst through without slowing down. Inside was Professor Oak - III - standing next to his grandson - Gary V. Oak had his hand extended towards Gary, with an odd-looking Pokéball in his palm. It had a dark silver shell with streaks of gold.

"Ash!" Oak sounded equally surprised and furious. "How did you get in here!? The door was locked!"

"Was it?" I hadn't noticed. I was panting heavily between syllables. "I'm sorry Prof-Professor, I-I just-"

"Granddad! Don't just stand there like an idiot! Give it to me!" Gary was the petulant, spoiled brat he was raised to be. His story was one that closely interlocked with mine, but while my tale was one of respect and success, his side of the page was marked with tragedy and desolation.

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His great-great-grandfather was the same age as mine. They started their quests on the same day, and had maintained a strong rivalry since their youth. It's said they first battled outside Oak Labs, and again many times afterwards. However, from start to finish, Gary was rarely a challenging opponent. He trained his team diligently, striving for nothing else but to defeat his rival, but failure after damning failure drained his will to continue.

After eventually changing his sights from Ash to the prestigious Elites, he quickly and mercilessly crushed them all in one fell fit of rage. For once in his life, he had triumphed.

His reign, however, was short-lived. Before news of his success had time to reach more than a few nearby towns, a cruel string of fate snapped in two as his life's solitary dreamcrusher paraded into the (then-)Elite Five's challenge course, ready to dominate once again.

Gary was pleased by this newly developed turn of events. He had just defeated the four greatest-known Pokémon masters on the continent. He was confident his once-rival was no match for his power. But as the bug-sized threat in the first room drew nearer, Gary grew increasingly unnerved at the rock slide coursing his way. He swallowed at the dry lump in his throat as my ancestor opened the door to his stadium, and invariably, brought Gary back to his too-recent past as a failure.

"That was a good battle, Gary!" The only thing friendlier than a defeated Ash Ketchum was a victorious one.

But Gary had been subjected to that cheerful voice and that friendly smile too many times. He stormed out of the building, silently and shamefully. The details of where he went or what he ended up doing afterwards were never known past hearsay. The only thing agreed upon is that one day, an unfortunate woman gave birth to his son, and soon left the family behind for good.

Gary Jr. was raised in a cold, controlling environment. His son only heard what his father wanted him to hear. Much of it was bitter resentment towards the Ketchums, and after three more generations, their mentality had become religion.